Loose-leaf binder



July 1, 1930. J. c. DAWSON LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 12, 1929 James 8.,Daw5ow M, fi

Patented July 1, 1930 I E S S P TENT OFFICE i JAMES 0.. DAWSON, OF WEBSTERGROVES MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO ELMA. N. DAWSON,

F WEBSTER GROVES, MI SSOURI LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Application filed November 12,1929. Serial No. 406,681.

This invention relates to'loose leaf binders and more particularly to that type in which the back member is formed of a continuous strip or piece of material. e

The principal object of the nvention 1s the provision'ofinew and improved means for securing the cover to the binder mechanism of a loose leaf binderwhereby a cover of any desired thickness may be employed.

Another object of the invention is the provision ofa new and improved loose leaf binder having novel means for holding a thick cover and maintaining the parts in assembled relation. 7 i i Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a transverse section of the binder in assembled relationy- Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-.-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the parts shown in disassembled relation; and

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the binder plate i showing the manner of attaching the loop in position thereon. I p I Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 10 designates generally the loose leaf binder comprising the spring plate 3 11 curved in cross-section and having its side edges bent inwardly to form retaining flanges 12 for retaining a pair of toggle plates 13 and 14in position within the curvature of said spring plate. The toggle plates 13 and ltare provided with prongs 15 and 16 respectively which cooperate to provide ringsl? for retaining loose leaves in position in the binder in the usual manner. A finishing plate 18 extends over the edges 12 of the spring plate 7 and is provided on its side edges with slots 19 through'which the rings 17 pass, as is usual in such constructions.

A lever 20, having its inturned end 20 engaging beneath the toggle members for mov- .ing them past dead center for opening the rings is provided at each end of the toggle plates. These levers are provided with outturned ends 21 which constitute thumb pieces for operating the same. The ends of the spring plate 11 are bent loops. weaken the clamping plate and mar its inwardly as at 21, see Fig. 3, to form ful- 'crums for the'levers 20 and to form retaining flanges for holding said levers in position. Each of the bent ends is cut away as at 22 for accommodating a key, as will presently appear. Y

' Since the above construction is of a wellknown type, it is notthought necessary to further illustrate or describe the same.

It is desirable that a suitable cover be pro"- vided'for the binder. In the provision of a cover, it is the common practice, in this type of binder, to employ a cover of thin material so that the loops on the binder plate may be struck up from the plate itself, but it is impractical with integral. loops to draw the metal to form loops ofsufiicientheight to accommodate thick cover material, such, for instance, as leather, Furthermore, integral appearance, thus necessitating the use of a finishing cover member to conceal the slotted portions, and even then the impression of the, slots is more orless evident in thefinishe d cover. Y Y i e v The present invention seeks to eliminate these difficulties by providing i loops of a height to accommodate a cover of the desired thickness, and that, too, without weakening the" clamping plateor mar-ring itsappearance.

In the; forinof construction selected to illustrate one embodiment of the invention. a clamping plate 23 is provided which is curved incross-sectionand is of a length substantially equal to that of the overalllength of the spring plate and levers.

A cover member 24 is adapted to be clamped betweenthe spring and clamping plate, in a manner that will nowbe'described.

The clamping plate 23 is provided at each end with a loop member 25 extending inward 1y from its inner or concave surface. Each loop 25 is provided at each end thereof with a foot 26. extending laterally in the plane of the loop and preferably having lateral extensions 27 and 28 extending to either side of the plane of the loop. These loops are preferably, though not necessarily, welded to the clampingplate. Each foot 26 may be provided with through the openings 32 in the cover 24 and openings 34; in the spring plate 11 and are held in position by keys 35 which are preferably bowed inwardly at their intermediate portion, as at 36, for forming a spring wedge member for resiliently holding the parts in assembled relation. The inner ends of the keys are pointed to facilitate their entrance 1 through the loops and their outer ends are bent inwardly as at 37 to form means for withdrawing them from'the loops.

The feet 26 being extended to each side of the loop 25 not only afford a more extended welding surface, but constitute a binding element for firmly clamping the covermember 24 at each side of the opening 32', thereby preventing tearing or enlarging of said openings in the rough handling of the binder or books of which it is a part.

7 If desired, a finishing cover may be secured over the cover member 24 for concealing the plate 23 but unless the binder is to be used to simulate bound volumes or to match volumes in libraries, this finishing cover is preferably omittedas being unnecessary, since the binder has a finished appearance without the same. Y a

I- claimas my invention:

1. In combination, a spring plate curved in cross-section and havlng openings therethrough, toggle elements carried by saidplate, binder rings on said toggle elements, a binder plate curved in cross-section, loops secured to the concave side thereof and extending through said openings, key members for holdgle plates, a binder plate curved in crosssection, a cover of thick material between said binder plate and said spring plate and having openings registering with the openings in said spring plate, a plurality of loops each 7 having outwardly extending feet rigidly secured to the concave surface of said binder plate and adapted to engage said cover at each side of said openings, said loops extending through the openings in said cover and spring plate, and key members having wedging surfaces forengaging said loops for clamping said cover between said feet and said spring plate.

5. In combination, a spring plate concave in cross-section and having, a plurality of openings therethrough, toggle members associated with said plate, binder rings carried by said members, a thick cover member having openingstherethrough registering with said first-named openings, means having laterally extending feet for engaging said cover member at each side of said openings, said means having holding portions extending through said openings, detachable means for engaging-said holding portions for clamping said cover member between said feet and spring member for holding said cover membeer in position. i

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. I JAMES C. DAWSON.

ing said loops in said openings, and a cover member of thick material clamped between said plates;

2. In combination, a spring plate curved in cross-section and having a plurality of openings therethrough, means for engaging loose leaves, carried by said plate, a binder plate, loopshaving their ends welded to the concave side of said last-named plate and extending through. said openings, a cover member of comparatively thick material between said plates, and means engaging said loops for clamping said cover member between said plates.

3. As an article of manufacture, a binder plate, curved in cross-section, a plurality of attaching elements secured to the concave side: of 'said'plate, each plate comprising a central loop portion extending. transversely said'plat and terminating in feet extendmg at either ideo'f said loop portion longi tud'inallyi ofsaid plate and welded" thereto. 

